Luke Phelps, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Long gone seem the days of Milan European dominance, but with Stefano Pioli celebrating a successful first year in the job, things look more comfortable

“The Best Is Yet to Come” – Reviewing Pioli First Year With Milan

October 9, 2020 Luke Phelps AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A

Consistency has been Milan's modern downfall. Long gone seem their days of European and domestic dominance, but with Stefano Pioli celebrating a successful first year in the job, things look a bit more comfortable. Wading through the stresses of 2020 and performing so well as to force a club U-turn, Pioli’s work at Milan is not going unnoticed.

Diego Laxalt was out-of-favour at Milan in Italy, but now joining Scottish champions Celtic Glasgow, he has a new opportunity to revitalize his career

Celtic “Perfect Place” for Laxalt to Prove Milan Doubters Wrong

October 7, 2020 Luke Phelps AC Milan, Calciomercato, Celtic Glasgow, Italian Football, Serie A, Stickers Swapping, Transfer Market

Diego Laxalt was out-of-favor at Milan in Italy, but now joining Scottish champions Celtic Glasgow, he has a new opportunity to revitalize his career. This is a really great chance for Laxalt but it remains one that needs to be taken with caution. It's a completely different ball game out in the Scottish Premier League and at a club like Celtic.

Gerard Deulofeu lightens-up Udinese's Transfer market

Deulofeu Makes Udinese Loan Move: Can He Save Their Season?

October 6, 2020 Luke Phelps Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Stickers Swapping, Transfer Market, Udinese

Deadline day saw some big moves right across Europe, and one of them was the Gerard Deulofeu loan move from Watford to Udinese. After losing their opening games and looking as though they might struggle this season, the pressure is on the Bianconeri and the incoming Deulofeu will have it all to do if he's to help his new side fend off relegation.

Lazio have secured Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira on a season-long loan deal.The 24-year-old played a big part in United's last campaign

Lazio Seal Pereira Loan – What to Expect From the Man United Man

October 3, 2020 Luke Phelps Calciomercato, Italian Football, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Stickers Swapping, Transfer Market, Uncategorized

Lazio have secured Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira on a season-long loan deal. The 24-year-old played a big part in Manchester United's last campaign but struggled to find playing time recently. All in all, this looks to be a really positive outcome for all parties as Pereira is still young and Lazio an attacking-minded and fresh side for him to grow.

Ex-Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian is about to link-up with former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte at Inter, finalizing his move from Parma

Matteo Darmian Nearing Inter Move: Are We Yet to See the Best of Him?

October 2, 2020 Luke Phelps Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Manchester United, Parma, Serie A, Stickers Swapping, Transfer Market

Ex-Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian is about to link-up with former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte at Inter, finalizing his move from Parma. The 30-year-old began life on Rossoneri side of Milan. Over 10 years ago he featured for the Rossoneri and now, after a journey taking him from Palermo, to Torino and Old Trafford and back to Italy with Parma, he's set to join the Nerazzurri.

Juventus' Douglas Costa had been linked with a move to Man United but the Brazilian wants to fight for his place in Andrea Pirlo's side

Perhaps Douglas Costa Should Have Taken Man United Chance…

October 2, 2020 Luke Phelps Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Stickers Swapping, Transfer Market

Juventus' Douglas Costa had been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United throughout the summer, but recent reports claim the Brazilian wants to fight for his place in Andrea Pirlo's side. At 30-years-old, Douglas Costa seems to be falling off the boil a touch, and he might yet live to regret turning down the Man United offer of regular first-team action.

Manchester United's Diogo Dalot spent 2021/22 on loan at Milan, establishing himself as a key contributor to the team's success enroute UCL qualification.

Milan Readying New Bid for Man United Ace to Cover Full Back Role

October 1, 2020 Luke Phelps AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Stickers Swapping, Transfer Market

Milan are reportedly lining up a second bid for Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot this week. The Rossoneri have had a busy week in the transfer market, specifically in the full-back department. It started with the club receiving an unnamed offer for Andrea Conti. Thus, Stefano Pioli's search for a defensive addition has taken a detour to the right side of the defense.

Federico Chiesa has stated his desire to leave Fiorentina, with both Milan and Juventus having been linked with the Italian starlet

Chiesa Asks to Leave Fiorentina: Can Commisso Deter Milan or Juve?

September 28, 2020 Luke Phelps AC Milan, Calciomercato, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Serie A, Stickers Swapping, Transfer Market

Federico Chiesa has stated his desire to leave Fiorentina, with both Milan and Juventus having been linked with the Italian starlet. One of Italy's most exciting prospects, the 22-year-old has been a part of Fiorentina's first-team for the past five seasons now but last time around, his 10 goals in 34 Serie A games has led him to being linked with a move away from Florence.

The Roma striker saga has taken yet another search, as they now look to be finalizing a deal with Real Madrid for Borja Mayoral

Roma “Negotiating” Borja Mayoral Deal: Just Transfer Market Rumors?

September 26, 2020 Luke Phelps Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Uncategorized

The Roma striker saga has taken yet another search, as they now look to be finalizing a deal with Real Madrid for Borja Mayoral. Last month, the stage was set for Arkadiusz Milik to become Roma's newest striker. The deal would in-turn see Edin Dzeko complete his move to Juventus but in an unexpected twist, Milik denied Roma's offer of 5M euros over five years.

Milan are considering a move for Schalke 04 defender Matija Nastasic as, despite the clean sheet on Monday, they seem to have few center back options

Milan Linked With Nastasic: Can He Become a Mainstay in Pioli’s XI?

September 24, 2020 Luke Phelps AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Stickers Swapping, Transfer Market

Reports claim that Milan are "seriously considering" a move for Schalke 04 defender Matija Nastasic. One game into the season and it's so far, so good for Milan. But Stefano Pioli won't be totally convinced of his side after just the opening day win against Bologna, with a seemingly glaring hole still in his side, as the Rossoneri have a limited number of center backs.

Milik Linked With Fulham, Spurs, Newcastle: Who Will Secure Him?

September 23, 2020 Luke Phelps Calciomercato, Fulham, Italian Football, Napoli, Newcastle United, Premier League, Serie A, Stickers Swapping, Tottenham, Transfer Market

Arkadiusz Milik has been at the center of Napoli's transfer talk for the past couple of weeks. But with his publicized moved to Roma seemingly breaking down, is he about to make the step into English football? Both Fulham and Newcastle United have recently been linked with the striker. Spurs were also keen on the 26-year-old until their loan signing of Gareth Bale.

Roma's Cengiz Under has this weekend joined Leicester City on a season-long loan deal - but why might this be a risky move by Roma?

Cengiz Under to Leicester: Could This Be a Risky Move for Roma?

September 21, 2020 Luke Phelps Calciomercato, Italian Football, Premier League, Roma, Serie A, Stickers Swapping, Transfer Market 2 comments

Roma's Cengiz Under has this weekend joined Leicester City on a season-long loan deal - but why might this be a risky move by Roma? The Turkish international fell out of contention in the second half of last season. Of his 18 Serie A appearances, only two of those came after the restart, but now the 23-year-old has a new opportunity in Leicester.

Author: Luke Phelps